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Quick Navigation by Category  Civil War Postal History (45)   |  U.S. Possessions Stamps and Covers (5)   |  U.S. Postal History (207)   |  United States Stamps (126)   | 
 

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Kewriga Auctions Sale - 10

U.S. Postal History

The Development of Leeds Patent Envelopes
LotNo. Symbol CatNo. Lot Description
1001       imageLeeds & Vaux Patent Envelope. Type 3 envelope with Maltese Cross pattern lattice embossed "Leeds & Vaux, 110 Broadway" at center, red stamp size label tied by "Flushing N.Y., Dec 31, 1861" cds on printed Leeds & Vaux circular advertising "Stamp Sealing and Postmark Preserving Envelope", unaddressed, Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1002       imageLeeds & Vaux Patent Envelope. Type 3 envelope with Maltese Cross pattern lattice embossed "Leeds & Vaux, 110 Broadway" at center and vertical perforations at right, orange stamp size label tied by "Flushing N.Y., Dec 31, 1861" cds on printed Leeds & Vaux circular advertising "Stamp Sealing and Postmark Preserving Envelope", addressed to Messrs Smith & Franklin, New York City; some envelope tape reinforcing, light soiling, F.-V.F. and unique label use.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1003       imageLeeds & Vaux Patent Envelope. Amber Type 3 Maltese Cross pattern lattice embossed "Leeds & Vaux, 110 Broadway" at center, 1¢ blue (24) tied by red "New York City, Paid 1 ct., May 14" carrier cds on small piece, Very Fine and possible earliest known use.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Steve Pacetti gave arguments that this piece was used in 1861, which predates the earliest recorded Leeds envelope use.

References: "The Leeds Patent Envelope: a Review and a Possible New Earliest Known Use" by Stephen Pacetti, Chronicle 214, May 2007, p. 118, fig. 9. (Image1)

Get Market Data for [United States 24] View Visual Pricing Guide Make Sample Census

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
1004       imageLeeds & Vaux Patent Envelope. Unused Type 3 envelope with Maltese Cross pattern lattice embossed "Leeds & Vaux, 110 Broadway" at center; natural envelope split on reverse, Very Fine and rare unused entire.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

References: "The Leeds Patent Envelope: a Review and a Possible New Earliest Known Use" by Stephen Pacetti, Chronicle 214, May 2007, p. 113, fig. 1. (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
1005       imageLeeds & Vaux Patent Envelope. Amber Type 3 envelope with Maltese Cross pattern lattice embossed "Leeds & Vaux, 110 Broadway" at center, vertical perforations at right, bearing 1¢ blue (63) tied by "Millville N.J. Jan 6" cds affixed on enclosed preprinted American Agriculturist, New York Dec 3d 1860 printed circular addressed to Lewis W. Leeds, Flushing N.Y.; tiny edge tear at top, front perforations reinforced, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, Risvold.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

Sometimes called the "First Window Envelope," patented by Benjamin Morrison 19 June, 1860. The following year Lewis W. Leeds of New York, without knowing about Morrison's patent, invented a similar type of envelope. Because of the similarity of the two designs, Leeds had to buy out the Morrison patent on 7 May, 1862. The idea was that the postmarked postage stamp would be on the letter and the envelope could be thrown away, leaving a postal record of the content. This cover could be torn open by the perforations on the right end, tearing the stamp and preventing its reuse if not cancelled. As such, intact envelopes such as this are extremely scarce. (Image1)

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Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1006       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope. Yellow Type 3 variety Maltese Cross pattern lattice that was attached to envelope with two prongs on each side instead of one central prong, tied on blank lettersheet by "Flushing N.Y. Jan 24, 1862" cds, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

This is a further undocumented variation of the Leeds type 3 lattice experimental envelope. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1007     E15C-d image1861, 3¢ Leeds & Vaux Patent Envelope Essay. Stationery oval die cut, gummed and affixed to side opening patent envelope, Very Fine and unique.
Undersander No. E15C-d; $1,500.

Self-canceling envelope essay; indicium would tear from envelope and partially stick to both envelope and contents. Indicia cut from envelope and privately pasted onto assembled envelope by Leeds and Vaux. (Image1)

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Undersander $1,500

Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
1008     E15C-e image1861, 3¢ Leeds & Vaux Patent Envelope Essay. Stationery rectangular die cut, gummed for closing and affixed to side opening patent envelope, Very Fine and apparently unique.
Undersander No. E15C-e; $1,500.

Self-canceling envelope essay; indicium would tear from envelope and partially stick to both envelope and contents. Indicia cut from envelope and privately pasted onto assembled envelope by Leeds and Vaux. (Image1)

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Undersander $1,500

Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
1009     E15C-f image1861, 3¢ Leeds & Vaux Patent Envelope Essay. UPSS #70, size 5, with flap glue removed, issued envelope with cut around indicium and glue on back of indicium to adhere to contents by Leeds and Vaux, manuscript "2, Sample of present form Go's perforated and scaled to show additional security of contents with Envelope ungummed/ Leeds and Vaux/ 110 Broad Street, New York", Very Fine and unique self-canceling envelope essay.
Undersander No. E15C-f; $1,000. (Image1)

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Undersander $1,000

Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
1010     E15C-g image1861, 3¢ Leeds & Vaux Patent Envelope Essay. UPSS #71, size 7, gummed flaps, issued envelope with cut around indicium and glue on back of indicium to adhere to contents, manuscript "No. 1, Sample of perforated and gummed stamp on the present form of Government Envelope- have before made its adhesion by moistening the letter before putting in. The perforating could be done similar as that of the Gov. Postage. Stamps-various other means might be devised for moistening the gum so as to make the adhesion to the letter, Leeds & Vaux, 110 Broad Street, New York", Fine and unique self-canceling envelope essay.
Undersander No. E15C-g; $1,100. (Image1)

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Undersander $1,100

Selling for...$375.00
Will close during Public Auction
1011       imageMorrison Patent Envelope. Bearing 3¢ dull red (26) affixed over circular opening, tied by grid cancel duplexed with "New-York, Sep 7" cds on 1861 original letter from Lewis Leeds to his friend "I forgot to ask you yesterday to please notice whether the letter had been broken or opened as the curiosity of the clerks in the post office might have led them to examine, especially as I did not seal it on the back side which of course would not be necessary in this case…Of course if it was found to be any advantage to manufacture envelopes in this way there would be a great variety of forms of accomplishing it, Yours Truly, L W Leeds"; the stamp torn from removing letter, Very Fine, ex-Piller, with 1993 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE MORRISON PATENT ENVELOPE.

This envelope illustrates Leed's purpose for his envelope design, to damage the stamp, rather than Morrison's original intention of providing secure proof of the date of a legal agreement with a post office datestamp striking the enclosed letter. The Leeds brothers purchased the Morrison patent in early 1862 for $1,000 (about $32,000 in 2025 dollars) and changed the design to add reuse prevention. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

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Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
1012       imageMorrison Patent Envelope. Group of 5 envelopes comprising four unused Morrison Patent envelopes, first with gum around circular opening to affix letter and to left "Post Mark Patent June 19, 1860" in embossed rectangle with pointing hand towards opening, second same legal-size version with additional green advertising label reading "The object of this invention is to recover that which was lost by the adoption of Envelope…Legal evidence of time and place of mailing the Letter.", third without glue and fourth same with addressing to Lewis W Leeds, Flushing N.Y., and last item is a 1904 application of this envelope in envelope, Very Fine and unique Mirrison group.
Estimate; $200 - 300.
View a PDF of images for this lot (Image1)

Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
1013       imageLeeds & Franklin with Morrison Patents Combination Envelope. Unused amber Type 2 four-point lattice in rectangular opening envelope insert only, bearing 3¢ rose (65), canceled by four-rings duplexed with "New-York, Mar 1" cds on folded letter datelined "110 Broad Way 3 mo 1. 1862" from Lewis W. Leeds to his brother Barclay concerning business and promotion of the patent envelopes, "…a pretty strong position - toward to make an improved! P.O. envelope before I go to show also - If I have an opportunity Nesbitt is making out an estimate for making the envelope - but there are other parties with whom we are now negotiating that I think likely we can make better…"; stamp torn from opening as Leeds originally intended the lattice to do, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

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Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
1014       imageLeed's "Stamp-Sealing and Post-Mark-Preserving Envelopes" Circular. Two-page circular with 1¢ blue (63) affixed to back page, over Leeds lattice and canceled by "New York Oct 24 '67" cds, Very Fine, ex-Cipolla.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS AMAZING LEEDS & FRANKLIN PATENT ENVELOPE CIRCULAR.

The illustrated circular shows an example of the Leeds & Franklin's Patent envelopes and a list of ten reasons for using them including security against impertinent intrusion. A key item to the collector of patent envelopes. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3) (Image4) (All Images)

image image

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Est. $1,000-1,500
Selling for...$500.00
Will close during Public Auction
1015       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope with Printed Advertising Circular. Buff Type IA with "#" bars lattice pattern, bearing 1¢ blue (63) tied by "New-York, Oct 27" cds on printed two-page circular with illustration of a Leeds stamped envelope and titled "Leeds & Franklin's Patent Stamp-Sealing and Post-Mark-Preserving Envelopes", bottom half with "William P. Lyon, Envelope Manufacturer", text extols the virtues of the Leeds patent including "Fourth - SECURITY FOR THE PRE-PAYMENT OF POSTAGE; as the stamp when once properly placed in this window, cannot be removed without its destruction" and "Fifth - ADVANTAGE THEREFORE TO THE GOVERNMENT; by the effectual destruction of every stamp in its first use", addressed to Nebraska City Neb.; envelope reduced slightly at top with couple envelope tears from letter removal, Very Fine and a wonderful item for the study of early stamp reuse prevention.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE LEEDS & FRANKLIN CIRCULAR WITH THE ORIGINAL MAILING ENVELOPE. (Image1) (Image2) (Image3) (All Images)

image image

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Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1016       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope. Unused amber Type 2 four-point lattice in rectangular opening envelope, bearing 1¢ blue (63) tied by bold strike of "New-York Leeds & Franklin 112 B'W" private precancel postmark with their Broadway address on printed Leeds & Franklin circular advertising "Stamp Sealing and Postmark Preserving Envelope", fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

References: "The Leeds Patent Envelope: a Review and a Possible New Earliest Known Use" by Stephen Pacetti, Chronicle 214, May 2007, p. 118, fig. 9. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

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Est. $2,000-3,000
Selling for...$1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
1017       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope. Unused amber Type 2 four-point lattice in rectangular opening envelope, perforations for side opening, bearing 1¢ blue (63) tied by bold strike of "New-York Leeds & Franklin 112 B'W" private precancel postmark with their Broadway address, additional adjacent strike on unused perforated envelope design, Very Fine, ex-Cipolla, with 2007 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A UNIQUE LEED'S PATENT ENVELOPE DESIGN WITH PERFORATIONS FOR SIDE OPENING.

References: "The Leeds Patent Envelope: a Review and a Possible New Earliest Known Use" by Stephen Pacetti, Chronicle 214, May 2007, p. 112-118, fig. 4. (Image1)

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Est. $3,000-4,000
Selling for...$1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
1018       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope. Buff Type IA with "#" bars lattice pattern on reverse of 1¢ blue (63) canceled by "New-York, Nov 3, 1862" cds and 3¢ rose (65) canceled by cork; 1¢ small tear, Very Fine pair showing the Type Ia lattice clearly, 1¢ with 2003 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $200 - 300. (Image1) (Image2) (All Images)

image

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Est. $200-300
Selling for...$100.00
Will close during Public Auction
1019       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope. Buff Type IA with "#"bars lattice pattern, bearing 1¢ blue (63) tied by "U.S. Penny Mail, U Phila. Pa. Feb 15" octagonal carrier datestamp to Anna B. Leeds at a local Philadelphia street address; opened and roughly reduced at right slightly into window, Only Two Recorded Leeds Philadelphia Carrier Uses, Fine and rare Leeds use.
Estimate; $500 - 750. (Image1)

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Est. $500-750
Selling for...$250.00
Will close during Public Auction
1020       imageLeeds & Franklin Patent Envelope. Type IA with "#" bars lattice pattern, bearing three 1¢ blue (63) singles, affixed along top of envelope, right stamp properly affixed over latticework, each tied by "Stratford Vt. Jun 29" cds addressed to South Harwick Vt., the stamp affixed over latticework lifted and placed on blue card (latticework still adheres to back of stamp); slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, ex-Christian, Bailar.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF A LEEDS & FRANKLIN PATENT ENVELOPE USED WITH THREE 1C STAMPS.

References: Illustrated in the Evans 1c book on p. 393. (Image1)

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Est. $1,500-2,000
Selling for...$750.00
Will close during Public Auction

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